In a few days,I will have the "permission" from my counselor to have SRS,but I have just readed at Mr. Bellringer's site something about SRS that shocked me....I will have a dilation after SRS for all the rest of my life! :o Do you know how many times a week or a month will I have to do this after SRS? Ok,I understand at the beggining,but what about a year later?Will I have all the time,the panic that I have to do a dilation every day f.e.?Which is you experience?I'd be grateful if someone could tell me anything about this... Kisses! ;D
edit: language - see rule 11
Yes, it's every day.
After some months, (as determined by your surgeon) it reduces in number per day, and eventually, the number of days per week.
(see https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_dilation (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_dilation) for an example of the amount of time spent)
Quote from: Flan on May 18, 2009, 09:58:56 AM
Yes, it's every day.
After some months, (as determined by your surgeon) it reduces in number per day, and eventually, the number of days per week.
(see https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_dilation (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_dilation) for an example of the amount of time spent)
Oh My God!!! Thnx! :-\
After a year, it isn't that bad and can be trimmed back to about once a week if you and your surgeon agrees.
But I will be for the rest of your life.
If you stop for any great length of time, just like a pierced ear, the body will seal up the neo-vagina.
-Sandy
Quote from: Sandy on May 18, 2009, 12:06:32 PM
After a year, it isn't that bad and can be trimmed back to about once a week if you and your surgeon agrees.
But I will be for the rest of your life.
If you stop for any great length of time, just like a pierced ear, the body will seal up the neo-vagina.
-Sandy
Do you think is it possible to end up just once a week? I hope so,It would be wonderful! I think it is annoying enough to think the dilation all the time!!! :'( Maybe after the surgery I will have the virtue to have that process in my routine,but now as an idea it's just freaks me out!Thank you very much dear... :laugh:
Post op dilation is just something you will have to do. When I returned to the States after mine I could not continue putting life on hold. Up early, dilate, douche (when needed), shower, breakfast, out the door for a business meeting, stop @ friends to dilate, eat lunch, business, home, dilate, dinner, shower, and then bed.
I ended up traveling for pleasure and had to schedule the whole event around dilating. Fortunately my friend with me was also recently post op and that did not create any issues.
A year later and I still maintain twice a day (sometimes once depending on the schedule, up to three times per day) as my surgeon recommends going about 18 months out before reducing the frequency. It has been worth it since I have lost very little depth at all, even with the skin graft.
Another friend is about 7 years post op and dilates about once or twice every other week.
YMMV and be sure to follow the surgeon's instructions.
Yes, you have to dilate. Expectionally the first months many times a day. Then it will be not so frequent.
I'm dilating once per day. I usually do it just as I go to bed. It really is not that much of a burden now.
This is all part of the journey, hon. It means we're *special*!
Also, keep in mind that "organic dilation" counts too! So if you have that special friend or partner, he can help a girl out.
Just tell him it's purely medicinal! ;D >:-) :D
-Sandy
At the beginning dilation will own your life. When you have to do it four times a day, forget a day at the beach! Then it's three times a day, then twice and by the end of the first year you should hopefully be down to once a week.
I'm two months post op and I have had a few days when I dilated only once because I got caught up in living life. I wasn't hurt by that so it's not like you will close up if you don't follow the schedule religiously.
But, as Sandy said, you don't have to resort to those cold marble men to keep you viable. Real men can help you dilate simply by being themselves. It's called sex! But you have to wait about four months before you can engage in the real thing. Don't want an overly aggressive partner tearing anything, do we?
Julie
Quote from: Julie Marie on May 18, 2009, 01:39:55 PM
At the beginning dilation will own your life. When you have to do it four times a day, forget a day at the beach! Then it's three times a day, then twice and by the end of the first year you should hopefully be down to once a week.
I'm two months post op and I have had a few days when I dilated only once because I got caught up in living life. I wasn't hurt by that so it's not like you will close up if you don't follow the schedule religiously.
But, as Sandy said, you don't have to resort to those cold marble men to keep you viable. Real men can help you dilate simply by being themselves. It's called sex! But you have to wait about four months before you can engage in the real thing. Don't want an overly aggressive partner tearing anything, do we?
Julie
LOL,no we DON'T! >:-) >:-) >:-)
I personally am ready and willing to begin that stage of my life.
Janet
Quote from: Matilda on May 18, 2009, 07:52:21 PM
You are cute! ;D
Thank you very much!!! :laugh:
"After the first year, you can throw the darned things away & get a boyfriend." ----> Well having or not a boyfriend,the dilation even after a year will have to be done the rest of my all life... Isn't that right? ;D
Quote from: ixt2003 on May 19, 2009, 09:23:51 AM
Thank you very much!!! :laugh:
After the first year, you can throw the darned things away & get a boyfriend. ----> Well having or not a boyfriend,the dilation even after a year will have to be done all my rest of my life... Isn't that right? ;D
I think she was being just a bit facetious. You'll be dilating for the rest of your life.
But you can still have a boyfriend!
-Sandy
Quote from: ixt2003 on May 19, 2009, 09:23:51 AM
Thank you very much!!! :laugh:
"After the first year, you can throw the darned things away & get a boyfriend." ----> Well having or not a boyfriend,the dilation even after a year will have to be done the rest of my all life... Isn't that right? ;D
Yes. Forevermore. :) Although frequency will cut back a lot if you wish. Make sure you find a boyfriend based on size!! LOL!!
Quote from: Nichole on May 19, 2009, 09:26:54 AM
Yes. Forevermore. :) Although frequency will cut back a lot if you wish. Make sure you find a boyfriend based on size!! LOL!!
Or find multiple boyfriends with different sizes...
Just kidding!
-Sandy(kinda)
I'm not being in the least bitchy here......
but I'm genuinely surprised that "ixt2003" got this far along in the journey without knowing this. ??
I only found out the full extent of the dialations from reading this. I had no idea it was for life. But then I am just getting started...
Well I had a contact with Mr. Bellringer (SRS surgeon) and he answered me about dilation this:
"I normally recommend once weekly (unless you are having sexual intercourse that often in which case it is not needed)." :o :o :o
Isn't it great?? :D :D :D :D :D
Four months before sex? I barely made it past two! YMMV, depending on how quick you heal.
Quote from: Syne on May 20, 2009, 03:48:04 PM
Four months before sex? I barely made it past two! YMMV, depending on how quick you heal.
Sorry,I didn't understand what you mean...! :P I'm from Greece and I don't speak English very very well :laugh: >:-)
Quote from: ixt2003 on May 21, 2009, 07:12:19 AM
Sorry,I didn't understand what you mean...! :P I'm from Greece and I don't speak English very very well :laugh: >:-)
What Syne was saying was that she could not wait to have sex. She was unable to wait much beyond two months, not the four months that was recommended.
YMMV in internet speak is:
Your
Millage
May
Vary. Meaning that you may heal slower of faster than Syne so your situation would be different.
Actually, you have quite a good grasp of English, my dear. I wish many Americans had as good an understanding as you!
-Sandy
What Sandy said. :)
You'll get pretty sick of it, doing it several times a day, but over time you get to cut back. I will admit, I wasn't always that great at doing it as much as I *should* have. 0_o I seem fine. I can have sex with men fine. I have a sex toy that I use that's bigger (circumference) then the biggest dialator, and I have no problems with it. Not that I recommened you don't follow what you should, or be a slacker like me (and pretty much every other other post I I run into). Try not to slack, especially for the first few months. If you miss a turn, try to do it as soon as you can. I missed a few times before, but did what I can. If you leave it too long it's bad. The further a long you are the less risk there is, so the less you have to do it. Once a week after a year-ish is best. Follow what your surgeon says as best as you can. I'm probably lucky, I hear of some ppl slacking too much and messing up.
I know of one person who had to have SRS re-done in Montreal (she didn't take care of her self, didn't dilate, and it caused a lot of issues... six months later she was so bad she had to get a re-do, which meant skin grafts). You don't wanna re-do.
Dilating will also keep your vagina healthy.
Post Merge: May 27, 2009, 03:18:07 AM
Quote from: Sandy on May 21, 2009, 07:35:41 AM
What Syne was saying was that she could not wait to have sex. She was unable to wait much beyond two months, not the four months that was recommended.
YMMV in internet speak is:
Your Millage May Vary. Meaning that you may heal slower of faster than Syne so your situation would be different.
Actually, you have quite a good grasp of English, my dear. I wish many Americans had as good an understanding as you!
-Sandy
Depends on the doctor -- I never heard of 4 months. I don't think I made it past two even. o_0 But, yeah, do what the doctor says. Doing it early was bad, especially too early. I will note that it was with a toy with someone who was careful, although 'cause things were still healing it wasn't as great as when things were healed more.
I would imagine they actually tell you to do it more than necessary knowing you will miss some.
Thank you for your replies ;)
I don't mean to be crude or anything but...if "organic" dilation works then doesn't the use of an appropriate sex toy work as well?
Are we not describing a process not unlike masturbation (if a bit more rigid in the requirements)?
Or am I missing something here?
If it is, it seems like the thing a girl could get used to ;)
Quote from: Laura Hope on June 03, 2009, 10:32:20 PM
I don't mean to be crude or anything but...if "organic" dilation works then doesn't the use of an appropriate sex toy work as well?
Are we not describing a process not unlike masturbation (if a bit more rigid in the requirements)?
Or am I missing something here?
If it is, it seems like the thing a girl could get used to ;)
Never try and dilate with a "sex toy" anytime before the healing process is complete i.e. before 6 months. Yes they do work, yes I use one (Vibrator that is), but you can seriously damage yourself using one before you are healed.
Dilation is about retaining depth and keeping the vaginal passage open, not about sexual pleasure or self gratification. Even after 7 years post op, I still use a dilator for 15 minutes a week, the fun stuff can be done in addition to that.
Buffy
Understood. I also see in the Wiki that we are talking about a considerably longer period of time (each time) than I would have guessed.
I can see where that would be tedious.
Quote from: Laura Hope on June 03, 2009, 10:32:20 PM
I don't mean to be crude or anything but...if "organic" dilation works then doesn't the use of an appropriate sex toy work as well?
Are we not describing a process not unlike masturbation (if a bit more rigid in the requirements)?
Or am I missing something here?
If it is, it seems like the thing a girl could get used to ;)
Also "organic dilation" implies having a relationship, usually. And if he can be satisfied with the dimensions of your vagina through the use of his "dilator", then there really wouldn't be any true need to go deeper/larger. And as long as the relationship has intercourse on a regular enough basis to maintain your vagina then you shouldn't have any problems.
This is what ciswomen encounter when they have relationships with men. It is the same for all women in that respect.
-Sandy
Any woman who has srs needs to become best friends with their dilators as dilation is a lifelong ritual.2
It sucks but that's just how it is.
Speaking from personal experience, I don't think sexual intercourse makes up for dilation.
Dilation is about providing constant pressure to the region whereas with sex, the penis is moving in and out. One would have to have lots of sex to make-up for dilaton sessions.
Quote from: jade on August 29, 2009, 02:08:34 AM
One would have to have lots of sex to make-up for dilaton sessions.
Sigh...a girl can dream... :)
I don't think this question has been asked in here, but does dilating hurt? I'm really new to this and I'm a long way from SRS, although I'm very positive I want to go through it, I'm just curious! :)
Quote from: andthenwekisss on June 29, 2010, 04:59:19 AM
I don't think this question has been asked in here, but does dilating hurt? I'm really new to this and I'm a long way from SRS, although I'm very positive I want to go through it, I'm just curious! :)
Initially, it can be quite uncomfortable. Your first weeks/months the dilation regimen calls for dilation several times per day in order to ensure that the tissues heal in the proper place. Think having your ears pierced. You must wear your initial earrings for about six weeks to cause the hole to heal correctly. It is the same with being post-op.
As you go along, the discomfort becomes less. After about 2-3 months there is virtually no pain and after that it actually can be pleasurable.
But don't sneeze while you have your dilator in. Otherwise make sure there is nothing breakable where it lands. :D
-Sandy
QuoteAll your life?
Yup, all your life.
When you die, well, you know that vampires get buried with a wooden stake through their heart... >:-)
Quote from: Sandy on June 29, 2010, 05:50:20 AM
Initially, it can be quite uncomfortable. Your first weeks/months the dilation regimen calls for dilation several times per day in order to ensure that the tissues heal in the proper place. Think having your ears pierced. You must wear your initial earrings for about six weeks to cause the hole to heal correctly. It is the same with being post-op.
As you go along, the discomfort becomes less. After about 2-3 months there is virtually no pain and after that it actually can be pleasurable.
But don't sneeze while you have your dilator in. Otherwise make sure there is nothing breakable where it lands. :D
-Sandy
haha thanks for being so open with us and giving us information I couldn't find elsewhere <3 It makes me all the more excited to think of when I'm at the stage to get SRS, if I choose to/can afford it. Which I think is going to be the case. =D So excited haha. I don't even mind the idea of dilating for ever. Especially since it lessens. I have a feeling I'll be "dilating" quite often on my own hahaha.
Yep I hear that dilation becomes your LIFE right after surgery....but gets easier as you go from what I hear.
I also heard rumor that having penetrative sex (some point after fully healed of course) counts as 1 dilation...I wonder if that's true?
Quote from: Sandy on May 19, 2009, 09:39:44 AM
Or find multiple boyfriends with different sizes...
Just kidding!
-Sandy(kinda)
transman >:-)
ok, I'm done lurking on the ladies side of the thread lol
What do you do when you want to have sex with someone who is bigger than your depth? :S
Quote from: Jerica on June 29, 2010, 02:53:23 PM
I also heard rumor that having penetrative sex (some point after fully healed of course) counts as 1 dilation...I wonder if that's true?
Dr Bowers states in her after-care instructions that penetrative sex counts as one dilation.
Quote from: andthenwekisss on June 29, 2010, 03:14:30 PM
What do you do when you want to have sex with someone who is bigger than your depth? :S
You change position a little so that he can't get in all the way.
- Kate
Thanks Kate! =)
Quote from: K8 on June 29, 2010, 04:35:09 PM
Dr Bowers states in her after-care instructions that penetrative sex counts as one dilation.
You change position a little so that he can't get in all the way.
- Kate
Oh okay. I guess it only seems kinda scary cuz it's all really new to me but I'm more excited than scared haha
Quote from: K8 on June 29, 2010, 04:35:09 PM
Dr Bowers states in her after-care instructions that penetrative sex counts as one dilation.
What if the guy only lasts like 10 seconds, does it still count? ;D
Quote from: ƃuıxǝʌ on June 29, 2010, 06:23:16 PM
Dilation makes us no different to cis women with Vaginismus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginismus) who need to dilate to maintain their vaginal orifice.
It's not just a trans woman thing.
I think that was what vaginal dilators were originally created for--vaginismus. BTW, I love that old Elvis tune Blue Vaginismus :laugh:
Quote from: Kristyn on June 29, 2010, 07:02:35 PM
BTW, I love that old Elvis tune Blue Vaginismus :laugh:
Kristyn, you are hilarious!!! Im ROFLMAO!
Quote from: Jessica.C on June 29, 2010, 09:56:27 PM
Kristyn, you are hilarious!!! Im ROFLMAO!
Can't be too serious--glad someone digs my sense of humor ;D
Yeah, its for the rest of our lives. Another thing I just found out from my surgeon today is that he wants me to douche after every dilation as well for the first three months with warm water. Like how many hours of the day is there, lol.
Stardust
Quote from: Valeriedances on June 30, 2010, 04:10:04 PM
I've been managing only 5 hours or less sleep during the week. By the end of the week I'm exhausted. Thankfully, I can catch up a little on the weekends.
OMG, lol
Stardust
It's amazing how diffrent SRS surgeons are about 'Douching'. Some say it's wrong to Douche(Bowers) and others tell you to do it.
it's kinda confusing. even my doctor says Douching takes out the good bacteria.
Quote from: MsGiselle on June 30, 2010, 04:57:51 PM
It's amazing how diffrent SRS surgeons are about 'Douching'. Some say it's wrong to Douche(Bowers) and others tell you to do it.
it's kinda confusing. even my doctor says Douching takes out the good bacteria.
Hi MsGiselle,
I know, I'm inclined not to but my consultant wants me to so I'm confused as I'd heard about it taking the good bacteria away. I don't know about going against him because if something goes wrong it may come back to haunt me.
Hugs for the next two weeks too MsGiselle, hope you are ready and nearly packed. My consultants nurse told me to pack light, lol. Who me, I can't do light, I'm usually the only one with a label slapped on my case when flying saying "HEAVY" lol.
Stardust
Stardust
Quote from: stardust on June 30, 2010, 05:32:58 PM
Hi MsGiselle,
I know, I'm inclined not to but my consultant wants me to so I'm confused as I'd heard about it taking the good bacteria away. I don't know about going against him because if something goes wrong it may come back to haunt me.
Hugs for the next two weeks too MsGiselle, hope you are ready and nearly packed. My consultants nurse told me to pack light, lol. Who me, I can't do light, I'm usually the only one with a label slapped on my case when flying saying "HEAVY" lol.
Stardust
Stardust
ha-ha Tomorrow will be down to 1 week and a few days :o. Well, I'm bringing two suit cases with me :o. I just can't pack light, I tried but everything wont fit into my big bag.
I also don't know who to bring my ''Hello Kitty'' bear with me or My ''Tinkerbell'' doll with me :D What's a girl to do? :D ;D
Quote from: MsGiselle on June 30, 2010, 05:38:29 PM
I also don't know who to bring my ''Hello Kitty'' bear with me or My ''Tinkerbell'' doll with me :D What's a girl to do? :D ;D
I just taking my "B->-bleeped-<-uss" its a cuddly toy from one of my favourite children's programmes when I was younger. Goes everywhere on holiday with me as well, he's well travelled, lol.
Stardust
Quote from: stardust on June 30, 2010, 05:46:26 PM
I just taking my "B->-bleeped-<-uss" its a cuddly toy from one of my favourite children's programmes when I was younger. Goes everywhere on holiday with me as well, he's well travelled, lol.
Stardust
Aww ;D. I think i'm gonna bring Tink with me. She traveled with me before.
I took my teddy bear and my smaller little bunny plushie and was glad to have them both. What they don't really emphasize is the fact that right after surgery you are forced to lay flat on your back for DAYS. So having the teddy bear for a little extra pillow and my bunny to snuggle really helped me get through those days.
My dilation schedule is brutal, with about 3 hours 45 minutes between starting each dilation, every waking hour of the day! You sort of develop a zen attitude about it though, that whole yang principle of passive strength, and it helps. I'm not crazy about it, but that has helped me accept it as part of what it means for me now to be a woman.
*hugs*
Chloe
I was curious...
I can see how dialating would be really really abboying. But cant you make it more fun? >:-)
or is it to painful?
I mean.. get a dilator with a vibrator? heh. may as well enoy it if you have to do it so often.
Quote from: Elijah on July 06, 2010, 09:11:48 PM
I was curious...
I can see how dialating would be really really abboying. But cant you make it more fun? >:-)
or is it to painful?
I mean.. get a dilator with a vibrator? heh. may as well enoy it if you have to do it so often.
Early on, it is really uncomfortable. So having a vibrating dilator is really not enjoyable. Later on though...
I learned to type one handed... oh that came out way wrong, sorry!
One hand is on the dilator and one hand is free... *dagnabit!*
NO! I mean that I have one hand in my crotch holding my.... *CRAP!*
i watch a movie...-Sandy(*blush*)
Quote from: FairyGirl on July 06, 2010, 08:00:32 PM
I took my teddy bear and my smaller little bunny plushie and was glad to have them both. What they don't really emphasize is the fact that right after surgery you are forced to lay flat on your back for DAYS. So having the teddy bear for a little extra pillow and my bunny to snuggle really helped me get through those days.
I was curious about the laying on your back for days part. Did you have a lot of back pain from that? Did the drugs help with that? How many days were you on your back before you could sit up?
Quote from: Jerica on July 07, 2010, 09:15:04 AM
I was curious about the laying on your back for days part. Did you have a lot of back pain from that? Did the drugs help with that? How many days were you on your back before you could sit up?
Actually for me the back pain from laying flat for days was worse than the surgery pain, which wasn't all that bad after the first day. It was the back pain that I really needed the drugs for, and despite the adverse psychological effects morphine was my best friend those first couple days. I had to remain flat on my back and immobile for 3 full days, then after about a half day on the 4th day they raised the upper part of the bed 15 degrees and no more. On the 5th day they raised it to about 45% which was blessed relief. Because of my bleeding complication it was the day after that (day 6) before I was able to get up and walk a bit and finally leave the hospital.
Dilating is still painful right now, mainly stretching that last inch of depth in there. Basically you're supposed to put it all the way in and hold it with pressure, but I've experimented with a little in/out action and like Valerie mentioned I can already see how nice that will be in the future lol
Quote from: stardust on June 30, 2010, 05:46:26 PM
I just taking my "B->-bleeped-<-uss" its a cuddly toy from one of my favourite children's programmes when I was younger. Goes everywhere on holiday with me as well, he's well travelled, lol.
Stardust
Everywhere and everytime I travel my lap-top goes with me, other than that I can pack fairly light.
Actually that's not quite accurate as I tend to travel with as much electronics as Best Buy, Microcenter,
etc. :D
Back when I had GRS my laptop was fairly large and heavy, now I would take a netbook instead.
But as to the topic, for me dilating wasn't painful, as has been said YMMV.
Quote from: peggygee on July 11, 2010, 07:47:18 PM
Everywhere and everytime I travel my lap-top goes with me, other than that I can pack fairly light.
Actually that's not quite accurate as I tend to travel with as much electronics as Best Buy, Microcenter,
etc. :D
Back when I had GRS my laptop was fairly large and heavy, now I would take a netbook instead.
But as to the topic, for me dilating wasn't painful, as has been said YMMV.
I bought a new Asus netbook especially for my trip. Then I decided to go wireless at home for my return--just in case I don't feel like sitting for too long at my desktop
Quote from: Kristyn on July 11, 2010, 08:47:41 PM
I bought a new Asus netbook especially for my trip. Then I decided to go wireless at home for my return--just in case I don't feel like sitting for too long at my desktop
Love my Asus Eee she'll be coming with me :)
Quote from: Jessica.C on July 11, 2010, 08:52:08 PM
Love my Asus Eee she'll be coming with me :)
Yeah! It does the job for a cheap price. I've got Photoshop and some video editing software on it--no problems :)
I'm still plotting how I'm going to do it in the middle of the day, which my surgeon has already said I will have to do. I hate to be away from work too much. My boss has said "we'll work it out" so I'm not worried about it. Fortunately a lot of what I do I can do at home via remote computing.
I don't want to end up like my friend who had hers collapse, and always says "I'm too old for that (sex) anyway". She gets me so frustrated when she says that as she is younger than me!! I'm not ready to give up, I have too much to make up for.
Quote from: NikkiJ on July 18, 2010, 11:20:55 AM
I don't want to end up like my friend who had hers collapse, and always says "I'm too old for that (sex) anyway". She gets me so frustrated when she says that as she is younger than me!! I'm not ready to give up, I have too much to make up for.
How in the world did that happen? Did it just seal up or what? What has she done about it? How old is she? YES, I'm a cop! :laugh: Hey, you have the same avatar as BlackMamba. Are you one of the same? :)
Is there a lot of blood during/after dilating in the early months?
Jocelyn: It seems that most folks don't have any problems with blood or bleeding with dilation.
Dee: Post-op sleeping on your side is variable.
Some can do it comfortably immediately.
Others find that it takes weeks before it is comfortable.
Folded-up pillows between your knees can help.
it's only the first 2 or 3 days you have to lay flat, and that's so everything can get a good start at knitting together down there. Once I was allowed to raise the head of my bed it wasn't so bad. Those first days of laying flat I pretty much stayed drugged up and that helped. Yeah it hurt but I was more afraid of messing something up and I knew once it was over I'd never have to do it again.
After I got home I got one of those cushioned adjustable seats from Walmart for about $99, I guess they're for gaming or watching TV or something but I put it right in my bed so I was able to sit up at least 45 degrees and prop pillows behind my head so that took pressure off my back. After I got my catheter out I was able to sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs so that was a relief.
Quote from: FairyGirl on July 18, 2010, 08:22:53 PM
it's only the first 2 or 3 days you have to lay flat
I may be mistaken, but I think Brassard has you walking the second day. Anybody?
Quote from: Dee_pntx on July 18, 2010, 09:18:41 PM
2-3 days kill me. I can't lay on my back 2-3 minutes. 2-3 DAYS??!?? Not happening.
Not unless I'm unconscious.
I also have scoliosis and spinal arthritis in addition to the hardware. My spine can't flatten out.. :'(
I'm pretty sure the issue can be addressed with your surgeon and accommodations made
Quote from: Kristyn on July 18, 2010, 08:58:58 PM
I may be mistaken, but I think Brassard has you walking the second day. Anybody?
They get you to walk around a little 48 hours after surgery.
I'm still in bed and this will be my fourth day. I am due to get up twice today, once in the morning and once in the evening. Tomorrow is when I'm allowed to have a bath, packing out, dilate and walk about a bit more.
The worst thing I found was not my back but my bum, it feels really numb and I have to lift myself up by the bars with one hand and massage my checks with the other, bliss, lol. My bed is electronic so that helps to find a comfortable position.
Stardust
Well some of us just turned over onto our sides...
My original surgeon in London allowed me to do that as long as I placed a pillow between my legs so that the "upper" leg was supported and the crotch area not fully "closed" up and supporting the weight of the leg. I know it was a long time ago but I doubt it will have changed that much.
I did something very similar on my revision, although for that, because the surgery was slightly less extensive I was only in bed for 2 days.
Hi Renate and Rejennyrated
I remember the 'pillow between the legs', because I was using it the second week I was out of hospital. It allowed me to sleep comfortably. Well it worked for me as far as I can remember and that seems like only yesterday!
So try it and see if it makes you feel comfortable. Check with your surgeon.
Kind regards
Sarah B
Quote from: Kristyn on July 18, 2010, 08:58:58 PM
I may be mistaken, but I think Brassard has you walking the second day. Anybody?
For a morning or noon surgery you stay in bed the rest of the day.
The next morning you have breakfast then try to stand up and take a few steps.
That makes it slightly less than 24 hours.
The morning after that you get a wheelchair ride back to the residence.
so like everything else it depends on your surgeon. Because I had bleeding I'm sure I had to stay flat a little longer. Special circumstances like yours Dee I'm sure they could do something for you. But there was no way I could walk after 24 hours, wasn't gonna happen.
being on my back for so long has messed up my blood pressure. i was down for 6 hours, then after surgery i was down for another 8 hours. now when i get up my blood pressure drops low and i have to lay back down. i WISH I could say i was lying on my back for OTHER REASONS LOL :D :D, BUT NOPE just got a vagina lol.
I had my srs at the Sussex Nuffield Hospital in Brighton UK with Michael Royle. You might say I was born twice in the UK. That hospital was like a ***** 5 star hotel. Great menu choice, Bar list, snack list for evening. Wow! I was sorry to leave.
After more than ten years I still dilate maybe once a month, All works great. Of course toys make a nice change also (blush) Silver bullet, Vibrators etc. Oh my! Beginning to sound like a hussy. If you get lucky regularly you don't have to dilate as much.
NOW! Where did that man go?
Like everything else, I think it depends on the surgeon. I had surgery with Bowers. No one ever told me I had to lie flat and so I kept my bed at a comfortable angle. I slept on my side when I could but with all the tubes and stuff I found sleeping on my back the most comfortable until the tubes were out. They insisted I get up and walk around 48 hours after surgery.
The only bleeding I remember dilating was when I tried to force in the next size larger without loosening up with the size I was used to. I only tried that once. :P
- Kate
As far as I remember I did not have any blood stains, but it was mostly discharge from the healing that was going on. I checked regularly to make sure everything was ok.
Kind regards
Sarah B
If yous be many years post-op, are fully functional.... and have a long-term male partner, b/f or husband...
And if you're still of an age...where you have an average normal healthy weekly sex life...
Then dilation as such is done by him on your mutual behalf, so to speak....lol
Quote from: Kristyn on July 18, 2010, 11:43:30 AM
How in the world did that happen? Did it just seal up or what? What has she done about it? How old is she? YES, I'm a cop! :laugh: Hey, you have the same avatar as BlackMamba. Are you one of the same? :)
Kristyn, she's 53 I think. She's told me the story, but I'm still not sure. She did get left with a wound of some kind inside her that would never heal because of where it was. Since she collapsed, she says that wound is not an issue anymore. Wonderful person, but I wish she would celebrate her self a bit more, she's usually a bit morose. She hasn't done anything about it, and probably won't. I should ambush her with my surgeon when she comes to escort me home from my surgery in November. I want to shake her and say "Just get it fixed!", but I can't change her.
Post Merge: July 21, 2010, 09:43:10 PM
Quote from: Kristyn on July 18, 2010, 11:43:30 AM
Hey, you have the same avatar as BlackMamba. Are you one of the same? :)
Obviously an imposter. :D
Quote from: NikkiJ on July 21, 2010, 10:42:16 PM
Kristyn, she's 53 I think. She's told me the story, but I'm still not sure. She did get left with a wound of some kind inside her that would never heal because of where it was. Since she collapsed, she says that wound is not an issue anymore. Wonderful person, but I wish she would celebrate her self a bit more, she's usually a bit morose. She hasn't done anything about it, and probably won't. I should ambush her with my surgeon when she comes to escort me home from my surgery in November. I want to shake her and say "Just get it fixed!", but I can't change her.
Post Merge: July 21, 2010, 09:43:10 PM
Obviously an imposter. :D
Hi Nikki. So sad to hear, I hope you can help her out with her issue. Who is doing your surgery? Mine is in September with Brassard
Kristen, I'm going to see Dr. Meltzer in early November for SRS and Breast Augmentation.
Quote from: NikkiJ on August 06, 2010, 11:01:29 AM
Kristen, I'm going to see Dr. Meltzer in early November for SRS and Breast Augmentation.
Wishing you the best with your surgery. :)
Quote from: Kristyn on July 18, 2010, 08:58:58 PM
I may be mistaken, but I think Brassard has you walking the second day. Anybody?
I know UK girls who have been up and walking a little the day after. We're all different really.
Creating a working healthy space in a part of male physiology which has previously not had to support it is no mean feat...I would say that like with all it's a softly, softly process....to getting back to full-fitness again.
Yes I was walking for short bursts within 5 days or so....but my full recovery took months...
The best tonic for me was flying to Germany/Switzerland some three months later and going on a three week mountain air break with my Pa & Step Ma....extending my foot travels a little bit each day and pushing further...
Meanwhile you have to maintain the gap....so to speak....and it was 'uncomfortable' for quite sometime... but with persistence comes results...
But it's never a breeze in the park...no surgery ever is... you have to tough it out and grin-bear it....lol
Oh and a tip....some years in, when all's nicely healed I would recommend using occasionally once a week maybe a Gynest (estrogen) HRT cream....to help with internal tissue moisturising...
Quote from: Kristyn on August 06, 2010, 04:31:55 PM
Wishing you the best with your surgery. :)
Thanks very much for that Kristyn!
At three and a half months, I dilate twice a day. I also put lotion on my face twice a day and brush my teeth twice a day. It is just part of my daily routine - no big deal. Still, I look forward to doing it only once a day or less.
Considering the benefits of having a vagina instead of that weird stuff I used to have, dilation is a very small price to pay. :)
- Kate
I don't do anything else 5 times a day except maybe pee lol I'll be very happy to drop down to 3 per day, it will be like a vacation!! :laugh:
Quote from: K8 on August 09, 2010, 06:27:50 PM
At three and a half months, I dilate twice a day. I also put lotion on my face twice a day and brush my teeth twice a day. It is just part of my daily routine - no big deal. Still, I look forward to doing it only once a day or less.
Considering the benefits of having a vagina instead of that weird stuff I used to have, dilation is a very small price to pay. :)
- Kate
Yep I agree, it just becomes part of the daily routine.
Quote from: Dinky_Di on August 09, 2010, 11:00:14 PM
Yep I agree, it just becomes part of the daily routine.
It's interesting to note that all of us, including me, who have posted in this thread, and in others regarding dilations have all referred to it as something between a drudge and a pain.
Yet, speaking for myself, I do remember a time of daydreaming about having to adhere to the rigors of regular dilation. Wondering what it would be like. Of being in that post-op life.
I'm 2+ years old now and I have to remind myself to do my dilations at least once a week, and I dare say that some of our more mature ladies have gone longer before remembering to "do the D".
And while it is a drudge, I never take it for granted. And I remind myself every single time what it represents. And every time I do, the memories I have of the time before become fainter and fainter, like a bad dream remembered upon the morn.
Life is good...
-Sandy
I'm 5 years + Post-op. To be honest my dilation routine is non-existant. Yes I maintained a regular routine as prescribed by the surgeon (Dr Brassard) for the first 3.5 years or so, but I must admit for the past 1.5 years I probably dilate only to masturbate when the urge occurs. I noticed that I may have lost about .25 inches of depth over the year and a half which hasn't changed since I stopped regular dilations.
-={LR}=-
I have to dilate twice a day for 10 mins once depth has been reached. Its only been a month since my surgery so I still get quite a bit of blood stained discharge after each dilation and I have been told that I should expect this for at least 3 months.
I'm less than 2 months post op and doing it 3x's daily. I didn't return to work until I had completed the 4x's daily routine for the first month.
My post op instructions state that intercourse is no substitute for dilation.
Just something you have to do, like brushing your teeth.
I'm in the UK and Mr Bellringer did my op NHS at Charing Cross London on 2nd September.
From the second day onwards I was up and about, doing a lot of walking.
They gave me two dilators, 2.5cm and 3.0cm and first dilation at the hospital with the larger one was dreadful and I continued to struggle with that one for about a month.
By the time I was sent home 7 days post op, I had no more internal bleeding and blood on my dilators, just some weeping from the vertical stitches at each side of the vulva - this continued for a couple of months.
By then I had decided that the largest size they had given me was insufficient so had contacted the company who supply their dilators and bought the next size up 3.5cm
My instructions were dilation three times a day, 10 mins with the 2.5 then 20 mins with the 3.0. At first those short times were all that I could stand, but after about a month I went for a few minutes longer.
They instructed that after 2 months, I could decrease to twice a day as long as insertion didn't become difficult. By then I had started using the 3.5 and was doing 2 dilations per day using all three sizes for almost an hour total.
They say that dilation needs will probably have fallen to once or twice a week by 6 to 9 months and should continue at that frequency indefinitely.
Now at 4 months, I am doing once a day for an hour with all three. 10 mins or less of 2.5, about 10 mins of 2.5 and then the 3.5 for the rest - I time it by watching an hour long recording of a television series.
Feeling has not yet fully returned and I am still half numb around the lips and clit, but a week before Christmas, I discovered that I CAN orgasm ..... repeatedly.
At present the G-spot seems to be the best but I expect the sensitivity of the clit will continue to grow as healing progresses.
Aesthetically, I think it looks pretty good and my two best pals, one cis and one post-op agree.
So.... hats off to Mr Bellringer!
.....and I do know and give thanks that I have been VERY lucky. Some girls go through hell and their stories scared me a lot as my op date approached.
Quote from: Cruelladeville on July 20, 2010, 08:02:03 AM
If yous be many years post-op, are fully functional.... and have a long-term male partner, b/f or husband...
And if you're still of an age...where you have an average normal healthy weekly sex life...
Then dilation as such is done by him on your mutual behalf, so to speak....lol
Yep, thats exactly my situation, my beloved Mark dilates me now.......
p
:icon_giggle: :icon_giggle:soon ladies soon I will be able to REALLLY contribute to this thread ;D ;D
Quote from: Suigeniris on January 04, 2011, 07:21:06 PM
:icon_giggle: :icon_giggle:soon ladies soon I will be able to REALLLY contribute to this thread ;D ;D
Yup! Your countdown timer is getting shorter and shorter!
I look forward to your contributions!
-Sandy
Awwwwww Sandy xoxoxoxo how are you Ms.Lady ??? I'm sure you know and can share my elation !!!!
Quote from: Suigeniris on January 04, 2011, 10:44:55 PM
Awwwwww Sandy xoxoxoxo how are you Ms.Lady ??? I'm sure you know and can share my elation !!!!
Oh, yes I can! Don't be surprised if you think that the whole trip seems to pass by in a blur. After all the years of anticipation, the time during your trip will seem like a dream. I felt that way and so did my friend Maddie. But it is a joy, so savor every moment.
Even the ones where it hurts a little bit. It will pass.
-Sandy
:icon_yes:yes maam I definitely will I am actually looking forward to it lol strange but true ( ...........SOLIDAFICATION!!!!!!! LOL LOL )
Quote from: Suigeniris on January 04, 2011, 07:21:06 PM
:icon_giggle: :icon_giggle:soon ladies soon I will be able to REALLLY contribute to this thread ;D ;D
As a recent "graduate" I can attest that you'll be very glad. I wish you all the best.
Tanxxxx Nikki :"))) xoxoxoxooxxoo